I have a . .. .

[Toby's my baby]

heart murmur. I have no idea what it is really, I was just diagnosed with it today, but he said it was very obvious. I have to get an ecocardio gram or something like that to make sure there isn't a really serious problem. As some of you may have read my thread from a while ago, about me having trouble breathing, well, that had to do with this. If anyone knows more about heart murmurs and stuff, will you please post it here, I would really like to know what it is. Thank you!

EDIT: I forgot to add, that I also have to see a shrink. .. . They think I have anxiety. . .

[Jessika]

Isn't a heart murmur just where your heart doesn't fully "close" between beats or something?

Aww I'm sorry but at least now you know what the problem is and can get treatment!

[Catty1]

Well, think of it this way: You saw a heart specialist because of your heart, and a psychiatrist is a specialist for the brain. Things like anxiety can have physical and medical roots, a real illness, and the 'shrink' is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing those types of things.

Both things are for-real conditions. Take care of yourself, and get well soon!

hugs
Catty1

[catnapper]

Yikes! My brother has a heart murmer, but its not too bad. I honestly never paid too much attention to what it meant to him healthwise, except I know he could never go into the military because it would make him fail the physical!

But I do know about anxiety and its just awful! I've learned how to manage it over the years and avoid the things that set it off - mostly large crowds of closed spaces. I can't really avoid traffic (but I do try!) so I simply just refuse to leave the house half the time in order to avoid anything to set off an anxiety attack. Seriously, they might suggest a medicine to help take the edge off your anxiety. I was on somethign for a few years and went off it when I lost my job. I figured I just lost 90% of why I was anxious, so I weened myself off.

If you do have anxiety, don't think you did something wrong, or that you are a nutcase. Its just that your body reacts more to stressors than it shold nad you need a little help in how you respond to stress.

[gemini9961]

Here's some info that might explain some. And another site.

[Laura's Babies]

I am prone to having anxiety attacks myself. I have learned how to reason with myself to clam me down and it works most of the time. My sister has them a lot and she gets so stressed out from them it throws everything out of wack. She just gets so wacked that all reason goes out the window and she freaks out... KEEP YOURSELF CALM!

I don't know anything about the heart thing, no experience with that.

[Toby's my baby]

Ok, thank you so much everybody!

[Miss Z]

Poor you! I hope you're OK Take care of yourself! At least now you know what was causing all those anxiety attacks and stuff

[My Peanuts]

My mom had a heart murmer years ago. I don't think it even shows up when they check for it anymore. Do what the doctors say and you will be fine. The "shrink" will help too so you don't over stress your heart. Good luck!

[Buddy Blaze Lover]

My understanding is that a heart murmur is basically an off-beat of your heart, or the beating isn't regular...I have a good friend that has a heart murmur, and he swims every day on top of it, so it's not too bad I guess...

[Lizzie]

Until they (doctors) have you sorted out, you are in an uncomfortable cycle of problems. The reason behind your heart murmur might make it a little more difficult to breathe during vigorous exercise, this makes you anxious and breathing becomes even more difficult, which makes you more anxious, and so on. Since breathing into a bag, and so decreasing the oxygen in your system, made you feel better, I doubt if your heart condition is bad. If it was, reducing your oxygen in order to reduce your stress would have made you pass out. As you have read, there are lots of us here who have to deal with anxiety disorder, and we've all managed to do so. I'm glad that your doctors understand that they have to treat both medical conditions at the same time.

When is your echocardiogram?

[countrycowgirl]

I have a heart murmur... it is not that bad though only when I get sick or really stressed does it flare up bad....kinda like I have been stressed alot lately lol ....but it does make it hard to breath excpecualy when you get angry or get done running...I hope that it is nothing serious

[Toby's my baby]

Thanks everyone!

Lizzie- my echo isn't until the 23rd. They have a doctor come down from Fargo, ND to do the echo's but we couldnt do it next week, because we might be taking a trip....

[Glacier]

Unless it's a serious heart murmur, like a grade 3 or higher, it's unlikely to affect you very much. I was born with one. It's never stopped me from doing anything. My doctor checks it once a year at my annual physical and that's about it. It is more noticeable if I'm carrying a few extra pounds. (noticeable to my doc. I still don't really notice much.)

Good luck. Hope it turns out to be minor.

[Roxyluvsme13]

Aww Beth, I'm sorry...I dont know anything about heart murmurs (well a little bit) but not anything that useful. I'll keep you in my thoughts though!
(((HUGS)))